To me, the best place for info is the RLS Foundation. Someone mentioned Nightwalker's Newsletter - it's from the Foundation. They also have a message board that is extremely helpful. RLS is hereditary in at least 50% of cases. My whole family - ever person in 3 generations on my mom's side - has it. Weird. It's also really mild in most cases, so drugs aren't needed. I used to be able to walk it off. It also tends to worsen over time, but not for everyone. When it affects your quality of life, many people find they cannot manage anymore without drugs, even if they did before. To me, the best thing you can do is find out about it so you know how to approach it. Here are some facts: 1. As stated above, iron is implicated. But, taking iron doesn't always help and you can have enough iron in your body and still have RLS. ALWAYS get your ferritin level checked - should be at least 50 and preferably over 100 - by your doctor. If it's below that, start taking iron (65 elemental mg per day up to 3 x per day) and get your ferritin checked every 3-4 months until it's high enough. Too much iron CAN harm you, so never take a high dose of iron without this test. 2. RLS is highly treatable with placebo. That means soap, quinine, magnesium, and many other things will often work for someone. But, in research, they do not work consistently or for many people. If something works for you - excellent! Don't assume it will work for others, though. Also, don't assume anything will work for years. Often we find one thing works for awhile, only to stop. 3. There are many genes implicated in RLS. This may mean that there are actually different variants that respond to different treatments. As with above, if something works for you, excellent. Just don't assume it will work for everyone else. 4. There are some excellent books on RLS. These help dispel myths and teach what works, how to approach your doctor, how to cope with RLS, and more. 5. There is a lot of incorrect information about RLS floating about the internet! Of course, some things are subjective (see above), but some things are not. For example, most people believe that antidepressants will always worsen RLS. The research shows that to be incorrect. Some of them do, but the percentages are low. 6. People with chronic RLS have a similar quality of life to other people with chronic diseases such as diabetes. 7. People with RLS are more likely to have anxiety disorders and depression. They are also more likely to have PLMs - periodic limb movements. These can be while sleeping (PLMS) or while waking (PLMW) or both. 8. RLS can occur in any part of the body. It almost always starts with the legs, but can progress after that. My brother gets it in his arms more than his legs. 9. RLS can occur at any time of day, however it's always worst in the evening. Researchers believe it may be connected to our body's clock. If you move your bedtime later, for example, eventually the RLS will start happening later. That's all I can think off offhand. Consider the RLS Foundation for more info - see link below. Here is a link that might be useful: RLS Foundation

jasdip Ok I've dealt with RLS for years now. I tried massage...hubby was up till 3am trying to relax my legs so I didn't cry all night from the kick feeling...didn't work. Tried Quinine...great at first but does NOT last and becomes less effective over time quickly...gave up on that. Tried Tylenol PM...got so desperate that I was taking 8 each night and effectiveness was gone...gave up on that. Tried Melatonin...herbal type sleep help...didn't do anything for RLS...threw it out. Finally found a doctor that listened and after finding no high stress, deficiencies, or injuries to cause it...he put me on Mirapex BUT there is a trick to it jasdip that the doctor filled me in on...you can't just stay on 1 pill a night for this to work...The trick is take 1 pill for first 4 to 7 nights, after that if RLS still happens then take 2 pills for the next 4 to 7 nights, after that if still no relief then take 3 the next 4 to 7 nights. It sounds like alot but it's not because each Mirapex pill is only 0.025 MG so don't get worried. I went up to 3 pills a night and stayed at 3 and I have had NO RLS occurances now. These pills are taken approx 2 hrs before you plan to sleep and give you 6 hrs of solid sleep so you aren't dragging the next morning. You can still take ibuprophen or tylenol for a pain or injury while using it and my favorite part...It's NOT habit forming. I have become so happy and no more exhausted feeling from lack of sleep now, it's amazing! If you have any questions or concerns about the RLS or the Mirapex, you can email me at LadySerenity75@yahoo.com and I'll tell you everything I know regarding it all. I hope this helped.

Has anyone tried the 'bar of soap under the sheets' at night for RLS? I tried it w/ a bar of Dove soap w/no help... maybe I needed to try an other brand?! :)Guess if it works for some w/RLS it would be simple & great! When I was younger I was told it was 'growing pains' ... think it was RLS really back then too! My mother had it now I know as she would jerk her legs at night also but she never knew what it was so it must be inherited! Anyone who has RLS sure knows what it feels like, right?! I will try the magnesium ... though I don't know the contents of it in our cit water here in Albuquerque. I think my Dr. did mention trying it! Thanks everyone for our advise & ideas!

I've been taking Neurontin (brand name of gabapentin) for restless leg syndrome for over 15 years. It's prescribed by my sleep doc. I take it every night without fail and never have a problem. I rarely wake before morning but if I do it's for a bathroom visit. I take the brand version rather than the generic because the generic doesn't work effectively for me. Sleep matters were discussed in a recent thread. Anyone who has trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep should see a sleep doctor. The treatments and therapies they provide can be life changing. There's more involved than just personal comfort because the failure to get normal sleep can have a very negative impact on many parts of your body and on your health overall.